In a quiet area of this Aussie state, tensions quietly rise around a familiar fixture with deep roots in the community.

What might seem like an ordinary establishment to some has taken on a new significance for locals, as growing concern swells over its uncertain future.

For many, it's not just about bricks and mortar—but about preserving something that has long stood as a symbol of shared stories, resilience, and local identity.


Initially erected in 1867 as the Terminus Hotel, the Imperial has stood as a silent witness to the ebb and flow of Picton's history.

It has morphed from a bustling hotel to a tuberculosis hospital, and through various incarnations, including the Club Hotel, before settling into its current identity as the Imperial Hotel.


Its walls, if they could talk, would tell tales of joy, sorrow, and the everyday life of generations past.

However, since the De Angelis family, proprietors of DHI Hotels who oversee more than a dozen pubs, took ownership over a decade ago for a hefty sum of $2.5 million, the Imperial has not heard the clinking of glasses or the laughter of patrons.

Despite its local heritage listing, the pub has been left to wither, its potential and history slowly eroding with time.


Alicia Boyle, a local with fond childhood memories of family gatherings in the pub's beer garden, spearheads the community's efforts to reclaim and restore the Imperial to its former splendor.

'A building like this, to watch it go to rack and ruin is devastating,' she laments, echoing the sentiment of a community that sees the pub as more than just a building, but as a repository of collective memory and identity.

The sense of loss is palpable, with former bistro manager Karl Klein's specials still hauntingly displayed on the chalkboard outside, a ghostly reminder of livelier times.

'I don't understand how anybody could neglect such a building,' Klein muses, a question that resonates with many who pass by the silent structure.

The local council, recognising the Imperial's significance, attempted to negotiate with the owners to buy back the pub, but their efforts were met with disinterest.

Deputy mayor Matthew Deeth expressed frustration at the situation, describing it as 'demolition by neglect.'

The council's hope for state government intervention through heritage listing was dashed, leaving the building vulnerable and the community's hands tied.

The situation's urgency is not lost on local builder Jake Marino, who has devised a plan to breathe new life into the Imperial.

Yet, the realisation of this vision hinges on the current owners' willingness to sell the property.

Marino's concern is shared by many: 'You don't want to see something so iconic to the local community go to the point that it's at. If something isn't done soon, it will get to the point where it'll have to be demolished.'


Despite attempts by media outlets to reach the De Angelis family for comment, the owners' silence has been as profound as the stillness that pervades the once lively pub.

The plight of the Imperial Hotel is a stark reminder of the fragility of our cultural landmarks.

It's a call to action for communities to rally together to preserve the tangible touchstones of their shared history.

For the residents of Picton, the message is clear: Act now or lose a treasured piece of their heritage forever.


Have you ever been involved in a community effort to save a local landmark? What do you believe is the value of preserving such historical sites? Share your stories and thoughts in the comments below.